Tag - Goodland

Like many others driving across northwest Kansas on Interstate 70, I’ve often grabbed fast food at a drive-through and continued on my way with hamburger in hand. Sadly, dining on the road became a quick stop necessity in my hurry to get where I was going rather than the experience it should be for travelers. I realized how much I was missing when I stopped in Goodland for lunch at On The Bricks Café, a quaint restaurant with delicious food, a calming atmosphere and friendly staff providing quick service.

One of the great things about being on the road is what you find along the way. Mike Brown of the popular website, “Brainzooming,” wrote about seeing one of the world’s largest Van Gogh Sunflowers paintings in Goodland. He referred to it as a “poster child for extreme creativity,” and made a video during his visit.Brainzooming is all about innovation, so it’s no wonder he was drawn to the 24 by 32 foot reproduction of Van Gogh’s classic that stands on an 80-foot tall easel. Canadian artist Cameron Cross chose Goodland for his “Big Easel Project,” because it is the “Sunflower Capital of the Sunflower State.” It’s the only one of the giant paintings in the U.S. The other six are in Argentina, Australia, Canada, France, Japan and South Africa – all locations that have something to do with sunflowers, Van Gogh, or both.

To give you a taste of the fruits, vegetables, grains, meats and more Kansas is famous for – as well as the yummy dishes prepared with those wholesome ingredients – we’ll share a Kansas-based recipe here once a month.For example, the recipe below reflects all that is tasty about our “Sunflower State.” Did you know that the city of Goodland is the “Sunflower Capital of the World”? Take a drive along I-70 in western Kansas in late August and you’ll see why.We invite you to bake up a batch of these Sunflower Cookies, then tell us what you think. Or send us your favorite recipes. We’re cooking in Kansas!